Fertilizing Evergreen Trees and Shrubs
Fertilizing
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Evergreen trees and shrubs, including rhododendrons,
azaleas, juniper cypress, are fertilized with an acidic fertilizer;
Holly-Toneâ,
Mir-Acidâ,
or a time released fertilizer like Osmocoteâ.
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Fertilizer in the spring, April, May, and again in
the fall. Adding
fertilizer in October helps because the above ground parts have
hardened off and are not capable of additional growth, but the roots
are still active and take up nutrients.
Keep plants healthy by mulching
the soil surface under the drip line whenever possible.
Mulched areas make it easier to hold fertilizer, retain moisture.
Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunks, three to four
inches deep.
Several rules you must
observe when applying fertilizers.
1.
READ THE LABEL before you apply any type of fertilizer.
Only apply as directed on the package.
2.
Most fertilizers should not be applied to dry soils.
3.
Dry fertilizers should be watered-in-thoroughly, immediately
after applications.
4.
Keep dry fertilizers off the leaves of your plants, spreading
only on the soil.
5.
Distribute the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plants.
Planting New Shrubs, Tree, etc.
Use one of the specially prepared
planting or transplanting fertilizers at planting time. These
fertilizers are mixed into the soil according to the directions on the
label. The advantage of
using transplanting fertilizer is that they encourage root growth.
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